All Joint Commission accredited health care organizations are required to implement the National Patient Safety Goals. The purpose of the 2012 National Patient Safety Goals is to improve patient safety.

Patient identification

Use the patient name & date of birth when providing care, treatment or services.

Make sure that the correct patient gets the correct blood type when they are transfused

Communication among caregivers

Timely reporting and receipt of critical test results.

Medication safety

Label all medications and solutions that are not already labeled. For example, medicines in syringes, cups, basins

Take extra care with patient who take medicines to thin their blood

Prevent infections

Comply with CDC hand hygiene guidelines.

Use proven guidelines to prevent infections that are difficult to treat.

Use proven guidelines to prevent infection of the blood from central lines.

Use safe practices to treat the part of the body where surgery was done.

Check patient medications

Find out what medicines each patient is taking. Make sure that it is OK for the patient to take any new medicines with their current medicines

Give a list of the patient’s medicines to their next provider or care giver

Give a list with an explanation of the patient’s medicines to the patient and their family before they go home.

Some patients may get medicine in small amounts or for a short time. Make sure it is OK for those patients to take those medications with their current medicines

Joint Commission's Patient Safety Goals: For more information about the program or the Joint Commission, visit www.jointcommission.org.

Atlantic General Hospital has implemented, or is in the process of implementing, these goals and recommendations.

Atlantic General Hospital and the Atlantic General Hospital Laboratory are both accredited by the Joint Commission